Be Prepared

Hello, dear Reader! I'm "hanging out" at the KIA dealership while my car gets ready for my cross country drive from east to west. I was full of ideas of what I wanted to write as I drove here this morning. I also was thinking how the point of these essays is to share some of my hard-earned wisdom. At the same time, it helps to remind me of life's lessons. 

The word prepare comes directly from the Latin word praeparare, meaning "to make ready beforehand" -- direct and straightforward. Let me share with you what I've learned over the last 12 years.

My first drive was fall of 2014. I went to AAA and ordered up a TripTik. This was before smart phones and GPS. I had an actual map with a couple of routes highlighted based on different stops I wanted to make to visit friends. That first trip was amazing, especially seeing how many different terrains there were as well as the different accents and ways that other parts of the country viewed the world. At times it was almost like being in a different country. Travel is so important for shaking up our perspective and getting out of our zone of familiarity. It's also fascinating. 

Over the years I've driven different routes from the most southern to the most northern and almost everything in between. Amazingly, this year will put me on a few different and new roads.

Until the return trip (back east) in 2024, I stopped and stayed with friends along the way. That year I rescued a stray kitten who crawled up on my daughter's farm, thin, hungry, and looking for someone to adopt her. I arrived in the knick of time, lol! She and I made the drive back and she will be with me when we leave next week. I could probably still visit some of my friends who are cat friendly and I'm hoping I might do that on the return trip. For now, I'm planning a 5-6 day direct drive.

Instead of a paper map I consulted AI and got a couple of possible routes based on the time of year, my interest in safe, non-remote routes, and cat-friendly hotels/motels. Sometimes I wonder how I managed my earlier trips and then, I think about heading west in a covered wagon in the 1840's! At least I've always had a well-defined destination -- they didn't even know where they were going! That's real courage or maybe a combination of desperation and straight out chutzpah.

Along with creating a route, I also look into gas and travel center stops. Pilot Flying J and Love's Travel Spots are my two favorites. Because I've driven through some desolate areas I always look for an opportunity to fill my gas tank when it's about half empty.

I have some specific food requirements so I'm trying to stock up on easy things I can eat along the way. American fast food is not really on my menu. 

The cat has more items on board than I do. Her carrier, litter box, toys, food, and familiar items to set up in our cottage at our final destination take up a lot of the room. I'm wondering if she'll remember our first home when we get there two years later.

And speaking of the cottage or "bunkhouse" as my dear, sweet friends and landlords call it ... I am so fortunate to have been able to live there whenever I'm in Oregon for the last four years. I love everything about it and it's perfect for our needs. In the meantime, I have one of my sons taking care of my east coast abode and watering my many plants.

I'm able to leave some clothes and other things at my daughter's, so packing is pretty easy for me. Even though this week is full of preparations, I'm also reminded that we can't always plan for the unplanned. I've been able to pretty much go with the flow over the years. My routes are sometimes based on the time of year and weather and I do my best to stay away from extreme conditions. Still, there are sometimes detours and other unforeseen occurrences. I do my best to be ready for anything and then, I leave it in the hands of the Universe. I'm reminded of Tony Robbins saying, "Life happens for us, not to us." I'm looking forward to my 22nd cross-country trek. When I write again in a couple of weeks I'll report on the journey!

Sending Sparkles and Love Your Way!